In Part II, Guthrie focuses his discussion on the relationship between God and human beings. What we believe and the God we serve is revealed in what is most important to us. This section helps us with that understanding by explaining the doctrine of general revelation, special revelation, the trinity, the attributes of God, and the concept of predestination.
As explained by Guthrie, general revelation refers to God’s self-disclosure to people through the creation and is known as the natural knowledge of God. Guthrie summarizes this concept by explaining that an analysis of the world we live in and our personal lives will give us the evidence we need to see God’s wisdom and power. We will also establish a foundation to determine the answers to the questions we ask ourselves – why? How? And where? He goes on to explain, all people are naturally inclined to some form of religion and that God is universally known through creation. This is a good place to start when talking with non-believers, but others feel that because of general revelation there is no excuse for non-belief. However, Guthrie argues that we cannot expect to fully see the truth while only observing the world around us. Just as we cannot be saved from, our sinfulness since that only comes through faith in Christ.
The explanation Guthrie offers of general revelation
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are of us finding God in creation; on the other hand, special revelation is God finding us. One way God has revealed Himself to the world is by communicating with us through His Word and that Word comes to us by Jesus (the Word made flesh). We can also see God in the history of Israel and in the fulfillment of His promises in Jesus Christ. The Word also comes to us through the Bible (scripture). The Holy Spirit inspired men to record the history of God’s people in written form. Last, but of no less importance, the Word comes to us through what is taught in the community on Sunday morning as well as the actions of the church throughout the week. As the doctrine of the Trinity helps us see who God is, it also helps us further understand who we are as Christians. According to Guthrie, the doctrine of the Trinity is not found in the Bible, but the three names of the Trinity are mentioned together in several passages. Jesus told his disciples to baptize in the name of the “Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. (Matthew 28:19.) The disciple Paul closes some of his letters with a Trinitarian benediction. Although this doctrine is hard to understand, the Bible shows that the three are indivisible and that they are not separate entities but the characteristics of one God. In the understanding of the attributes of God, we are able to see these different characteristics. God is love - this attribute is proclaimed in John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son…” God is a just God; He cares for individuals who are not treated with justice. He is omnipotent and omnipresent. He is omniscient. God is eternal and unchangeable, he is not the heartless, cruel God that some may think, but He is a God who wants to have a relationship with us, His creation. This section ends with a discussion of the doctrine of predestination; which is probably the most controversial doctrine in the Protestant church, especially in the Presbyterian-Reformed beliefs. Guthrie offers the explanation that predestination does not say that God predetermines everything that happens. Predestination deals specifically with salvation, saying that only God’s “elect” will be saved. Further, in this book discussion an explanation of “double predestination” is offered - suggesting that some are included and some are excluded.
Guthrie feels that God is a gracious God and does not desire to exclude anyone. Universalism states that God chooses all and rejects none and Guthrie poses the question, “Where is God’s justice in this?” Pelagianism says that it is our choice whether to receive or reject God, and that choice determines our salvation. Finally, Guthrie emphasizes that, however, we look at it; Christians are the chosen or elected people of God and with that election come responsibilities to bring others to
Christ.
Hence, hc makes an important deduction that God, as described in the Old Tcstament, is sympathetic, considerate, and relational. He is involved in natural disasters and consequently suffers thcir outcomes. Due to thcse qualities, God can be engaged through prayers during any adversity. The book is organized into fivc interrelated chapters with overlapping and repeated ideas,
Christianity falls under the category of Theism, which is the belief in only one personal god. Christian worldview believes that God sent humanity His only son so that we can learn about God and how He wants us to act. Jesus is crucified later in His life on a cross, which relieved us from losing a relationship with God due to our sins. When analyzing the Christian worldview, we learn that God came to earth in human form as Jesus Christ to experience life with humanity and restore earth back to harmony. In this paper I will discuss God, Jesus, and humanity individually, how restoration will occur, and finally, analyze and reflect on the Christian worldview.
idea that he uses for God. Within each of these ideas, Haught explains that these each require us to surrender ourselves to them, much like
In conclusion, it is evident that Christianity’s various beliefs regarding the relationships that exist between humanity and the supernatural dimension significantly impact the everyday lives of Christian adherents and allows them to maintain right relationship with God and others. It is through the teachings from St Paul, the commitment made in baptism and way in which an individual acts in regards to issues such as those concerning environmental ethics, that an individual is able to live out their faith in a way that they believe honours God.
Paul Tillich. “What Faith Is”. The Human Experience: Who Am I?. 8th ed. Winthrop University: Rock Hill SC, 2012. 269-273. Print.
Throughout this essay I will demonstrate how religion has played a role in the lives of humans as well as explicate the reasoning behind the true nature of the creation of religion by a psychopath.
However, the latter is the integral way toward humanity’s flourishing in God. In mythology, we ought to understand the different steps of the theogonical process in the light of the increasing truth of the symbols of God. In revealed religion, the concern is not so much around our images of God as in a sense they cannot be improved. Rather, we must care about how much these images are interiorized. In mythology the images of the divine become more and more spiritual as we better imagine God, where in revealed religion to do the same does not bring new images but rather deepen our relationship with them. In other words, Christians do not ever get to move past the image of God as the Holy Trinity, but can develop an ever better communion with the transcendent by deepening their understanding of this symbol of the divine. In other words, they can always re-imagine the Trinity, this way developing the metaphorical bridge between the symbol and God and renewing the life of their relationship with
Pohle, Amanda. “On the Incarnation.” Sophomore Theology. St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Fond du Lac, WI. 7, 17, 18, 24, 25 February 2014.
Edwards and Wesley spoke heavily on their views of God to their congregation, but their approaches toward the subject differed. Edwards’s writing could portray a harsh tone to some of his congregation, but in actuality that’s not the case. The authors worrisome tone could be compared to overprotective parents.
...s distributed in Theology 101 at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle on 22 April 2008.
Revelation is the process by which God makes himself known to us. Being that humans are finite and God is infinite, God must take the step to make himself known if humans are to truly understand God in all His majesty (Vandenburg, 2010). There are two ways God makes himself known to us, general revelation and special revelation. Theologians have generally thought, through our contact with nature, we are given the ability to know and interact with God. Nature, as created by God, is an element of general revelation.
...ons of the gods in conjunction with man’s acts of will can result in a life that is newly aligned on a desirable path of truth and respect both for and from the divine.
Also, James Fowler discusses in his six stages of faith development about the individuative-reflective stage. It is this stage in which my life and faith began to reach to greater heights and caused me to see faith through a different lens. While in this stage, it seems hard to have conversation and dialog with those people whom have those same imbedded thoughts because this stage has pushed me outside the box to a different world view. Present in this stage has allowed me to question the majority of the theological position that I was taught growing
This course has consistently expanded my knowledge and comprehension in regards to religion and its correlation to the human psyche. The curriculum’s progression has been effective in introducing the basic concepts of religion, including its definition and general information about world religions. Weeks four through eight have built upon the basic foundation that was established in weeks one through three. From early childhood to late adulthood, the human mind is constantly developing. Growth of the brain along with life experiences can alter ones view towards religion. This reflection paper will focus on the main topics recently covered like human development in religion and mythology.
At any time in our lives, we can have a loving relationship with God. Many people choose not to accept God because they are walking in the dark, which is why we say God is the light. The ...